Application Deadline
U.S. citizens: 2025-26 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Competition Deadline is Monday, September 16, 2024 at 5 PM EST. Find out more.
Much of this section is based on the feedback and advice provided by previous Fulbrighters, who encourage you to take the initiative to connect and share your experience with the U.S. community. Actively reach out to people, achieve the balance between communicating with your own culture and with U.S. culture, and remember that Fulbright goals go beyond academics and to building mutual understanding.
Defining Volunteerism and Community Service: To volunteer is to offer to do something without being forced to or without getting paid to do it (Meriam-Webster Dictionary). In the field of social welfare, community service usually refers to voluntary work that is intended for the common good (The Free Dictionary)
Learn from the experiences of previous Fulbrighters: About half of Fulbrighters in 2015 reported that they had volunteered or participated in community services in the United States. These Fulbrighters committed an average of 59 hours to volunteer activities or community service. According to them, volunteerism is an effective way to expand one’s network and meet people with similar values and ideals.
Volunteerism as a U.S. core value: A 2013 Gallup poll concluded that 65% of Americans reported having volunteered their time to a charitable cause in the past year (“Most Americans Practice Charitable Giving” 2013).
Volunteer matching websites:
To volunteer, the position must be a legitimate, advertised volunteer position, and you cannot receive any compensation. Remember that paid positions cannot be categorized as volunteering and are subject to J-1 and Fulbright regulations on employment.